[20201202]IN10875_美国参议院制定程序变更的八种机制.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Eight Mechanisms to Enact Procedural Change in the U.S. Senate Updated December 2, 2020 The Senates unique procedural rules have long been a source of interest both inside and outside of Congress. While some hold the view that Senate rules operate well, others have advocated an examination of Senate procedures with an eye toward changing them. This Insight highlights eight parliamentary mechanisms that might be used to implement procedural change in the Senate and links to additional reading material on the subject. The work of the U.S. Senate is regulated not just by its 44 standing rules but by multiple, sometimes overlapping, procedural authorities. At any given time, unanimous consent agreements, standing orders, statute, precedent, and provisions of the U.S. Constitution may also regulate the Senate as it processes its legislative and executive business. It is perhaps natural for those seeking changes to Senate procedures to think in terms of “amending Senate rules,” but directly amending the standing rules of the Senate is only one way to affect chamber procedures. Because some Senate actions are, or may be, controll